Our Guardians

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was a highly influential preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism throughout India in the late 19th and early 20th Century. He was born as Bimala-prasad Dutta in the pilgrimage town of Jagannatha Puri, Orissa, India. His father was the Vaishnava scholar Sri Kedarnatha Dutta (also known as Bhaktivinoda Thakura) the first to present the teachings of Chaitanyite Vaishnavism to the English-speaking world and was a notable Gaudiya Vaishnava Theologian. Bimala Prasada was well known for having a fiery spirit, an acute intellect and for living a simple, austere lifestyle.

By the time he was twenty-five years old, Bimala-prasada had acquired an impressive reputation as a scholar of Sanskrit, mathematics, and astronomy. His astronomical treatise on the ‘Surya Siddhanta’ won him the title Siddhanta Sarasvati in recognition of his immense learning. In 1905, following the advice of his father, Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted spiritual initiation from Gaura-kisora Dasa Babaji. Siddhanta Sarasvati proved himself a capable assistant in the missionary work of his father.

Upon the passing of Bhaktivinoda Thakura in 1914, Siddhanta Sarasvati became editor of his father's journal, ‘Sajjana-tosani’, and founded the Bhagvata Press for publication of Vaishnava literature. Then in 1918, Siddhanta Sarasvati accepted the order of sannyasa (renounced order of life), assuming the title ‘Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’. For the purpose of propagating the philosophy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu throughout India, he organized a mission called the Gaudiya Matha, with sixty-four branches throughout the country.

Books

Written by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura with illuminations by Swami B.G. Narasingha. (A Hundred Warnings Against Mundane Mellows) Clearly illuminates the immature misconceptions of imitative devotees known as Prakrta-Sahajiyas.
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As we approach the millennium, practically all of the direct disciples of Srila Saraswati Thakura have gone to Krishna's abode to join in his divine pastimes. It is their combined devotion - sankirtana - to his holy lotus feet that is the source of all of our wealth and has manifested in the form... » more